The new york yankees had made a remarkable comeback from their disastrous Game 2 defeat at the bat of the Cleveland Indians to force a deciding fifth game in the American League Division Series Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
The Bronx Bombers won both Game 3 and 4 of the ALDS after it blew an 8-3 lead against the Indians in Game 2 of the best of 5 division series. The heartbreaking loss was largely blamed on team manager Joe Girardi who failed to challenge a disputable hit-by-pitch call in the sixth inning. This started a rally by the Indians that resulted in a 9-8 victory in extra innings.
The odds of a Yankees' victory
Both teams are heading back to Cleveland for the ALDS Game 5 with Joe Girardi’s squad clearly riding high on its recent momentum for winning the last two games. But the Bronx Bombers need more than just momentum in order to defeat the Tribe on its home turf. The odds are somewhat skewed against a Yankees' victory.
According to Major League Baseball’s post-season figures, coming back to win a best of five series after trailing 0-2 is a rare thing to happen in MLB history. Usually, 71% of the teams that won the first game of the series went on to win it.
Only nine teams managed to accomplished a comeback and only three of those teams did it while on the road. If the New York Yankees pull off a victory Wednesday night at Progressive Field, the team will join an elite group of MLB clubs to earn this achievement.
Cleveland’s defense
Baseball analysts meanwhile opined that the Cleveland Indians much praised defense was not present during the ALDS Game 4. According to MLB figures, the Tribe was first in the American League in terms of fielding percentage during the regulation season. When it comes to errors, only the Florida Marlins has fewer.
In its 7-3 defeat during the fourth game of the series, the Indians allowed 6 unearned runs. The team has never done this since May of 2015.
That is why analysts are saying that the Indians must get back to their sure-handedness — which is among the best in the 2017 regular season — in order to defeat the resurging Yankees.
Starting pitchers
For the ALDS Game 5 starting pitchers, Joe Girardi chose post-season veteran CC Sabathia; Terry Francona, on the other hand, will go with Corey Kluber for the Indians.
Kluber’s regular season numbers are very impressive leading the MLB in terms of ERA (2.25) and 11.7 strikeouts per inning. Kluber, however, did not have a solid game when he pitched in Game 2 but the Indians won anyway—thanks to Girardi’s failure to challenge a disputable call.
Who has the advantage?
Many analysts believe that Cleveland Indians still have the upper hand in Game 5. The Tribe has a better win/loss record (102-60) and it won the regular season series against the Yankees, 5-2. The Indians also have home-field advantage in this deciding game.
